State Rep. Erik Paulsen (R) has had yet another strong fundraising quarter in his mission to succeed retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad (R). Paulsen raised more than $600,000 from April 1 to the end of June, according to his campaign, and finished the period with about $1.1 million in cash on hand.

Paulsen will face Iraq War veteran Ashwin Madia (D) in November. Madia’s fundraising totals were not yet available on Tuesday, but the reporting period that ended in June will be his first as his party’s endorsed candidate.

The suburban Twin Cities district is considered highly competitive, even though the moderate Ramstad safely held on to his seat there for nine terms. Although President Bush won the district with 51 percent of the vote in 2004, Democrats see the seat as a potential pickup opportunity since Ramstad is retiring.